“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail
against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever
you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew
16:18–19
There are several foundational truths taught to us by this passage
above. One of those truths is that “the gates of the netherworld”
shall never prevail against the Church. That truth gives us much
reason to rejoice.
Think of the many human institutions that have existed throughout
the centuries. The most powerful governments have come and gone.
Various movements have come and gone. Countless organizations have
come and gone. But the Catholic Church still remains and will
remain until the end of time. That is one of the promises of our
Lord that we celebrate today.
The Church has not remained simply because of good leadership all
of these years. In fact, corruption and serious internal conflict
have been evident within the Church from the beginning. Popes have
lived immoral lives. Cardinals and bishops have lived as princes.
Some priests have gravely sinned. And many religious orders have
struggled with serious internal divisions. But the Church itself,
this shining Bride of Christ, this infallible institution still
remains and will continue to remain because Jesus guaranteed
it.
With today’s modern media by which every sin of every member of the
Church is able to be instantly and universally broadcast to the
world, there can be a temptation to look down on the Church.
Scandal, division, controversy and the like can shake us to the
core, at times, and cause some to question their ongoing
participation in the Roman Catholic Church. But the truth is that
every weakness within Her members should actually be cause for us
to renew and deepen our faith in the Church itself. Jesus did not
promise that every Church leader would be a saint, but He did
promise that “the gates of the netherworld” would not prevail
against Her.
Reflect, today, upon your own view of the Church today. If scandals
and divisions have weakened your faith, then turn your eyes to our
Lord and to His holy and divine promise. The gates of the
netherworld shall not prevail against the Church. That is a fact
promised by our Lord Himself. Believe it and rejoice in that
glorious truth.
My glorious Bridegroom, You have instituted the Church upon the
rock foundation of Peter’s faith. Peter and all of his successors
are Your precious gift to us all. Help me to see beyond the sins of
others, the scandals and divisions, and to see You, my Lord,
leading all people to salvation through Your bride, the Church. I
renew my faith, this day, in the gift of this One, Holy, Catholic
and Apostolic Church. Jesus, I trust in You.
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